On this week’s episode of Taste Matters, JBF’s Mitchell Davis talked with London-based author and architect Carolyn Steel, who recently spoke at our annual JBF Food Conference and is known for using food as a medium to "read" cities and understand how they work. Her book, Hungry City: How Food Shapes Our Lives, traces food's journey from land to urban table to sewer, and examines its historical context. Carolyn has also been featured in a TED Talk that explored the history of food routes from the ancient times to modern cities. Listen below to learn more about underlying issues within our urban ecosystem, and why Carolyn urges us all to think about food differently by understanding the flow of food from its origin... Read more >

On this week’s episode of Taste Matters, JBF’s Mitchell Davis invited author Kevin West on the air to discuss his new book, Saving the Season. In his comprehensive guide to at-home canning, pickling, and preserving, West offers poignant stories, thoughtful guidance, and 220 recipes for jams, pickles, cordials, cocktails, candies, and more. From Scotch marmalade to green tomato chutney to pickled asparagus with tarragon and green garlic, Saving the Season is the ultimate resource for novices and professionals alike. Listen below to learn more:

On this week’s episode of Taste Matters, host Mitchell Davis welcomed Alex Stupak, the chef/owner of New York City’s Empellón Cocina and Empellón Taqueria, for a discussion of his unique approach to cross-cultural cooking. At his popular restaurants, Alex has garnered widespread acclaim for his progressive, innovative spin on Mexican cuisine. By staying dedicated to the fundamental culinary techniques and applications that are native to Mexico, but often using unconventional ingredients, his approach yields unexpected interpretations of authentic flavors. Listen below to learn more!

On yesterday's episode of Taste Matters, JBF's Mitchell Davis welcomed Anya Von Bremzen, food writer, author, and contributing editor at Travel + Leisure magazine. The pair discussed her latest book, Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking: A Memoir of Food and Longing, which tells the story of life in the vanished empire known as the U.S.S.R. and how every edible morsel was packed with emotional and political meaning. To learn more about Anya's book, how taste in Russia has evolved over the past decade, and how Moscow's growing economic power has influenced its food scene, listen below.

On last week’s episode of Taste Matters, host Mitchell Davis welcomed Seamus Mullen, the chef/owner of New York City’s acclaimed Tertulia, for a discussion of food, wine, and Spanish culture. Seamus, a former finalist on The Next Iron Chef, discussed his rural Vermont upbringing and how it taught him to value agriculture, how he was inspired by travels through Spain, the unique dynamics within various food cultures, his health-focused cookbook, Hero Food, and more. Take a listen below:

On last week’s episode of Taste Matters, host Mitchell Davis spoke with Jeffrey Zurofsky, partner at ‘wichcraft and co-founder of the Riverpark Farm at the Alexandria Center, one of the largest urban farms in the five boroughs. The pair discussed ‘wichcraft’s ingredient-driven sandwich philosophy, the cost of food in New York City, and how consumers and restaurant owners can drive the cost of high-quality food down by sourcing locally, being mindful of our daily consumption, and taking a strong stance on government policies. Listen below to learn more.

On last week’s episode of Taste Matters, host Mitchell Davis was joined by producer Ashley Kosiak, food consultant Karen Karp, and JBF’s director of house programming Izabela Wojcik for a lively discussion to mark the show’s 100th episode. The group chewed over history, perspective, presentation, ingredients, and community in our food system, and also analyzed the cultural shift towards more organic, sustainable, and locally produced foods. With our nation’s top toques building menus around their local greenmarkets, many consumers have begun follow in their footsteps. Listen below to learn more:

On yesterday’s episode of Taste Matters, host Mitchell Davis welcomed 2013 JBF Leadership Award recipient Marion Nestle on the air to discuss her latest book, Eat, Drink, Vote: An Illustrated Guide to Food Politics. The well-known author is the Paulette Goddard professor of nutrition, food studies, and public health at New York University; a professor of sociology at New York University; and a visiting professor of nutritional sciences at Cornell University. In Eat, Drink, Vote, Nestle teams up with The Cartoonist Group syndicate to present more than 250 of her favorite cartoons on issues ranging from dietary advice to genetic engineering to childhood obesity. Using the clever cartoons as commentary, she engages readers in today’s most... Read more >

Any popular restaurant largely owes its success to its food—but architecture, design, and ambience are also essential elements of a memorable dining experience. On last week’s episode of Taste Matters, JBF’s Mitchell Davis was joined by Peter Guzy of Asfour Guzy Architects, the team behind the designs for iconic restaurants like Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Savoy, and more. Listen below as the pair explores the many variables that go into the overall dining experience, the eternal quest for space, and what makes the perfect restaurant atmosphere.

Internationally renowned for his eclectic Momofuku empire, David Chang is constantly questioning the intuition of taste. On yesterday’s exciting episode of Taste Matters, the 2013 Outstanding Chef award winner joined host Mitchell Davis in the studio to talk about neglected flavors, agriculture, and the rapidly expanding Momofuku brand. The pair discussed why contemporary diners are obsessed with the idea of umami, how palates differ around the world, how Chang brought kimchi into the everyday culinary landscape, and why he believes the Internet has been detrimental to food culture. Listen below to learn more!